News Release

SIU Investigates Motor Vehicle Collision in Ottawa

Witness Assistance

Mississauga (6 September, 2009) --- Four investigators and two forensic investigators from the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) are probing the circumstances surrounding a motor vehicle collision in Ottawa that occurred on the evening of Saturday, September 5.

At 12:25 a.m. this morning, the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) reported to the SIU that at 7:30 p.m. yesterday, officers attempted to stop a stolen vehicle. The vehicle did not stop and a pursuit ensued. A short time later, the vehicle struck and knocked down a streetlight pole at Centrepoint Drive at Arbordale Street in Ottawa. The 24-year-old female passenger, from Ottawa, was taken to Ottawa Civic Hospital for treatment of a non life-threatening fracture. The 24-year-old male driver fled on foot but was arrested by OPS officers. He was taken to Ottawa Civic Hospital where he was treated and released.

Investigators are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed this incident to contact the Unit at 416-622-0748 or 1-800-787-8529.

The SIU is an arm’s length agency that investigates reports involving police where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault. Under the Police Services Act, the Director of the SIU must

consider whether an officer has committed a criminal offence in connection with the incident under investigation

depending on the evidence, lay a criminal charge against the officer if appropriate or close the file without any charges being laid